Animals & Livestock
General Information
Cattle bred for meat production are commonly referred to as beef cattle. Beef is a meat product that is high in protein, iron, zinc and B-vitamins. Some popular beef products are steaks, such as T-bone and Ribeye, roasts, and versatile ground beef products. Cattle bred for milk production are referred to as dairy cattle. Dairy products fall into two major categories, fluid milk and manufactured products, such as cheese, yogurt and butter.
Missouri is the second ranking state in the nation with 1.99 million beef cows. Missouri is ranked 16th in milk production. Missouri dairy farmers produced 2.4 billion pounds of milk in 1997. Missouri’s Agricultural Statistics Service can provide further information on Missouri’s cattle inventory.
Hogs are the source of high quality animal protein in the form of common meat products such as ham, pork chops, pork sausage and bacon. By-products from hogs play a vital role in maintaining the quality of human life. For example, insulin from hogs is used to treat human diabetes; heart valves are used to replace damaged human heart valves; and hog skin is used to treat severe burn victims.
Missouri is the sixth largest hog-producing state in the nation, with an inventory of hogs and pigs at 3.55 million animals. Missouri’s Agricultural Statistics Service can provide further information on Missouri’s swine inventory.
Horses are herbivores that have been used historically for agricultural work and transportation. As modern technology has changed the way of agriculture, horses have become more established as companion animals. The main types of horses are categorized as draft-type (Percherons, Suffolks, Clydesdales, etc.), hot-bloods (Arabians, Thoroughbreds, Saddlebreds, etc.), ponies (Shetlands, Hackneys, Welsh, etc.) and related equine species (mules, donkeys, burros, etc.). The horse industry today is diverse and contributes significantly to the economic health of the state. Horse enthusiasts enjoy a wide range of activities such as trail riding, rodeos, racing, show competitions, jumping, driving, and hunting.
Chickens and turkeys that are commercially raised today are the result of many years of selection and breeding of two or more breeds in order to continually improve productivity. Many pure breeds are raised for exhibition, hobby and/or breed preservation purposes.
The chicken industry is made up of meat production chickens and egg production chickens. Egg production chickens are primarily birds of the White Leghorn breed. In some parts of the United States, brown eggs are preferred by the consumer and in those areas layers are crosses of Rhode Island Reds and Barred Plymouth Rocks. Eggs are primarily marketed whole as shell eggs. Additional products such as liquid eggs, dehydrated eggs and pre-cooked eggs have been successfully developed. The modern meat-type chicken is derived from the deep-breasted Cornish breed and has been selected with an emphasis on the production of meat rather than eggs. Further processing of meat chickens has led to many new products geared to the convenience minded consumer such as boneless, skinless breasts. The turkey industry has developed strains of birds with emphasis on meat production and primarily breast size as the white meat has a higher market value in the United States. The turkey industry has developed specialty products as well. However, whole turkeys are still quite popular, especially for holiday menus. Missouri’s Agricultural Statistics Service can provide further information on Missouri’s poultry inventory.
Sheep are small ruminant animals that are selected for both wool production and meat production. Missouri sheep production is primarily in small flocks on small acreage. Sheep have become a very popular species for youth livestock projects.
Missouri’s sheep numbers are estimated to be 65,000 animals. Missouri’s Agricultural Statistics Service can provide further information on Missouri’s sheep inventory.
Cats are carnivorous mammals highly adapted for hunting and devouring their prey. Generally, cats have short muzzles, large eyes, sensitive whiskers, and sharp claws and teeth. Most have long tails, and all have a flexible musculo-skeletal system. Domestic cats vary in size, with males usually weighing 9-14 pounds and females 6-10 pounds. Their coats are of various lengths and many colors and patterns. Besides the common house cat, many selective breeds are maintained by selective mating.
Dogs are carnivorous mammals with enormous genetic variability within the species. It is probable that the dog was the first animal to be domesticated. For centuries, dogs have been bred for special purposes, notably to pursue and retrieve game, as draft animals, as guides, and most commonly as companions.
Dead animals must be disposed of within 24 hours of knowledge of death. Acceptable methods of disposal (in order as preferred by the Department of Natural Resources) are: rendering, composting, burying in a sanitary landfill, incinerating, and on-site burial.
Rendering - While this is certainly the most preferred method of carcass disposal, there are not many rendering plants in Missouri at this time. Several out-of-state rendering companies are licensed to pick up dead animals in Missouri. However, more than one animal is required to warrant a trip to Missouri.
Rendering Companies Permitted to Operate in Missouri
Composting of dead animals shall be done in a composter designed and constructed according to recommendations of the University of Missouri Extension Service.
Disposal in a sanitary landfill that has a current permit under the provisions of the Environmental Control law, and any regulations promulgated thereunder is also acceptable.
Commercial incineration shall be done in an incinerator designed, constructed, and operated in accordance with the provisions of the Air Conservation law, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
Non-commercial incineration shall be done in an incinerator designed, constructed, and operated in an efficient manner as recommended by the University of Missouri Extension Service.
On-site burial must be handled in accordance with the Disposal of Dead Animals law, which sets forth limits on the number of carcasses buried on a specified area and defines potential areas of major groundwater contamination.
For further information, contact the Division of Animal Health at
(573) 751-5608 or e-mail
Sheri.Berendzen@mda.mo.gov.
Branding is one of the oldest and best ways to permanently identify livestock. Legislation passed in 1971 made the Missouri Department of Agriculture responsible for registering livestock brands. The brands also must be recorded as required by Missouri’s Marks and Brands of Animals Law to prove ownership. Currently, there are in excess of 5,000 livestock brands recorded with the state.
For further information, contact the Division of Animal Health at
(573) 751-5608 or e-mail
Sheri.Berendzen@mda.mo.gov.
Newly licensed veterinarians in Missouri must attend an accreditation session outlining both state and federal rules on caring for and transporting animals. Upon completing the accreditation session, veterinarians are assigned numeric codes for use on official documents, certificates and various other state/federal forms. This numeric code is a permanent identification number as long as a veterinarian is licensed in Missouri. A tube code is also assigned to large animal practitioners for use on blood tubes submitted to diagnostic laboratories.
For further information, contact the Division of Animal Health at
(573) 751-5608 or e-mail
Sheri.Berendzen@mda.mo.gov.
Missouri’s Seeds, Fertilizers, and Feeds law, prohibits feeding raw garbage to swine. A permit may be obtained to properly cook raw garbage that can be fed to swine. With that permit, garbage must be heated to a temperature of 212 degrees for 30 minutes before it can be fed to swine.
Applications for a permit can be obtained from the Missouri Department of Agriculture. An annual fee of $25 is charged for each permit.
For further information, contact the Division of Animal Health at
(573) 751-4260, or e-mail
Jackie.Hagenhoff@mda.mo.gov.
To transport condemned and inedible animal products into and/or through Missouri, official plants must ensure shipping, handling, and processing activities are stringent enough to prevent its use for human food and prevent disease spread through animal consumption. One of these conditions is to request an Application for Release from Official Plant of Inedible & Condemned Animal Products. The completed application, which must specify the type of denaturant (dye) used to treat these products is submitted for approval to the state veterinarian.
For further information, contact the Division of Animal Health at
(573) 522-1242 or e-mail Linda.Stokes@mda.mo.gov.